The Israeli.E2.80.93Palestinian conflict Israeli legislative election, 2006

during al-aqsa intifada, more thousand israelis killed in palestinian militant attacks. israel s security policy during time focused on arresting or killing members of militant organizations, through frequent military excursions palestinian territories , (somewhat controversially) targeted killings, , curb movement of suspected militants – would-be suicide bombers – through use of checkpoints. policy won support of jewish mainstream, elements in jewish left, vast majority of arab population, vehemently opposed saw excessive response security threat. claimed israel s policy in fact encouraging more violence palestinian side. despite decrease in violence during 2005 , 2006, or perhaps because of it, popular support security policy remained high among israeli public, continued fear suicide bombings , qassam rocket attacks.

during 2006 electoral campaign, center , right parties vowed continue relentless fight against palestinian militants. labor, traditionally known dovish views, put combating terrorism @ top of agenda on conflict. opposition current security policy, use of targeted killings , existence of checkpoints on palestinian soil, comes jewish left parties such meretz , arab parties.

solutions conflict

in wake of disengagement plan, political field in israel split 2 distinct groups: in favour of withdrawing or of west bank (unofficially nicknamed blues ), , wish area remain under israeli control (so-called orange ). in particular, ariel sharon , faction left likud form kadima because of support of ending israeli control on west bank. however, 2 groups divided internally practical steps need taken during next few years.

meretz supported bilateral negotiations path towards peace.
labor , kadima both advocated further negotiations, supposed non-existence of partner peace on palestinian side (following hamas victory in 2006 palestinian elections) brings them consider shaping israel s permanent borders through unilateral withdrawal of west bank, leaving in place large settlement blocs , jewish neighbourhoods in east jerusalem. these borders marked completed separation barrier. kadima leader ehud olmert used term convergence plan (תכנית ההתכנסות).
yisrael beytenu supported continued israeli control of settlements, offers cede israeli arab cities , uninhabited territories palestinian authority in exchange.
likud advocated expansion of separation barrier include more territory on israeli side, , continued israeli control of jordan valley, whole of jerusalem , settlement blocs.
national union-national religious party vehemently opposed more unilateral withdrawals, , supports strengthening of jewish settlements in west bank.
herut – national movement , jewish national front, 2 fringe nationalist groups, supported massive population transfer of arabs under israeli control – both palestinians , israeli citizens – neighbouring arab countries solution conflict. while herut supports voluntary transfer through creation of compensation mechanism, front not rule out forced transfer.